last post of south america
that is all

up at 820am, i watched caddy squirrel away for the last time on this trip. got some breakfast then said my goodbyes to cam and cad. jamie rich and i then went shopping around copacabana. jamie and i then toured the largest favela in south america. cool. a favela is basically a slum area, very poor and more or less abides by the laws of the ruling gang. it's built on the base and side of a mountain and is always expanding upwards. next i had to say goodbye to jamie and rich, so obviously i did, then i headed off to the flamengo vs botafogo. the maracana was rammed with both flamengo and botafogo supporters, as it was a derby (both clubs are based in rio). unfortunately, flamengo missed a crucial penalty and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. immediately after the game, chris, rachel, and i rendez-vous'd at stone of a beach and went out to a nightclub. fun was had and now today i'm paying for it. amoxicilin, check. lozenges, check. chris is gone now, leaving me the last of us remaining in south america.

it's raining today for the first time since i've been in rio, add the fact that rich, jamie, cam, and caddy are all leaving tomorrow, the annoyance of having to coordinate three bureaucracies to withdraw some much needed money (long story), and a shocking hangover from the boat cruise with all you can drink capirihnas we've all had a bit of a miserable day. rich is printing his e-ticket for his flight tomorrow, and earlier today i unknowingly asked a friend how her summer was - both signs that this trip is coming to an end. there's been so many things i've wanted to say on here that i just haven't had a chance to. maybe i'll keep writing when i get back.

i don't leave until friday night, and i still have to visit jesus and i plan to watch a derby match between flamengo and botafogo tomorrow night; fluminense and gremio only wet my appetite for more football.

my time here is prepaid and i'm running out, i just want to say thank you so much to jane from everyone - we really loved your cottage, it was one of the highlights of the trip.